SMART-Seq mRNA HT LP and SMART-Seq mRNA HT

SMART-Seq mRNA HT and SMART-Seq mRNA HT LP are automation-friendly kits that use oligo(dT) priming to generate high-quality, full-length cDNA directly from 1–100 cells or 10 pg–1 ng of total RNA. While SMART-Seq mRNA HT contains the core cDNA synthesis kit, SMART-Seq mRNA HT LP also includes a library preparation kit. Up to 384 multiplex Illumina-ready sequencing libraries can be generated using SMART-Seq mRNA HT LP with Unique Dual Index kits (sold separately).

SMART-Seq mRNA HT has a streamlined protocol optimized to work downstream of FACS and reduces hands-on time, owing to the introduction of a convenient, combined reverse transcription and PCR amplification step. The core SMART (Switching Mechanism at 5' End of RNA Template) technology powering the cDNA synthesis provides full-length transcript coverage, making it a powerful tool for studying gene expression in single cells, including splice junctions and alternative splicing. Oligo(dT) priming is used to specifically amplify mRNA from either high-quality total RNA (RIN >8) or intact cells. LNA technology improves the efficiency of template switching, which increases the number of genes identified compared to other methods.

SMART-Seq mRNA HT LP, which incorporates our patented library preparation chemistry, uses enzymatic fragmentation and stem-loop adapters to construct high-quality, Illumina-compatible libraries. This two-step workflow takes place in a single tube and can be completed in about two hours—no intermediate purification steps are necessary.

If you prefer a random priming approach that will allow you to work with degraded samples and also includes library preparation and indexing reagents, we recommend our SMART-Seq Stranded Kit.

Overview

  • Easily automate the streamlined workflow—process more samples in less time and maximize the space on your automation deck
  • Unparalleled sensitivity—start with as little as one cell or 10 pg of total RNA (input range: 1–100 cells or 10 pg–1 ng of total RNA)
  • High-quality RNA-seq data—capture full-length transcript coverage, a low percentage of rRNA reads, and a broad representation of GC-rich transcripts
  • Single-tube workflows—complete cDNA synthesis and library preparation, in one tube each, for minimization of sample loss, sample mix-up, or other handling errors
  • Increased sequencing power—include unique dual indexes to allow for the pooling of multiple samples and confident sequencing on the NovaSeq™ system
  • High library yield—sequence on high-throughput sequencers with ease (such as the NovaSeq) or confidently save extra library for future runs

Data is shown for the SMART-Seq HT Kit (SS-HT) and SMART-Seq HT PLUS (SS-HT PLUS), which use the same chemistry as SMART-Seq mRNA HT and SMART-Seq mRNA HT LP.

SMART-Seq HT has a simplified workflow with less hands-on time

Workflow comparison

Figure 1. Comparison of the SMART-Seq v4 and SMART-Seq HT kit workflows. The SMART-Seq v4 method (left) was modified to generate a streamlined workflow (SMART-Seq HT, right) with very little hands-on time. Once single cells have been obtained using FACS, the SMART-Seq HT Kit involves only three hands-on steps, while the original SMART-Seq v4 kit involves six hands-on steps. One key step in the SMART-Seq HT workflow is the one-step RT-PCR, performed using the One-Step RT-PCR Buffer, formulated specifically for optimal reverse transcription followed by efficient PCR cDNA amplification. The One-Step RT-PCR Buffer is directly compatible with AMPure bead purification without the need for the addition of Lysis Buffer. As with the original SMART-Seq v4 kit, the SMART-Seq HT Kit requires validation (quantification and assessment of high-molecular-weight, full-length cDNA) before the cDNA is used for sequencing library preparation with the Illumina Nextera® XT DNA Library Preparation Kit.

SMART-Seq HT matches the performance of SMART-Seq v4

Sequencing metrics comparing SMART-Seq v4 and SMART-Seq HT kits
RNA source 10 pg Mouse Brain Total RNA
cDNA synthesis SMART-Seq v4 SMART-Seq HT
Replicate A B C A B C
Yield (ng) 7.3 8.5 9.4 9.5 9.9 9.2
Number of transcripts 14,168 13,934 14,147 14,510 14,650 14,553
11,455 11,267 11,349 11,582 11,670 11,454
Average Pearson/Spearman 0.97/0.67 0.97/0.68
0.96/0.66
Proportion of reads mapped (%)
rRNA 0.7 0.6 0.5 1.1 1.1 1.1
Mitochondria 2.8 4.2 4.1 3.7 3.8 4.2
Genome 92.3 90.8 86.6 89.1 89.0 87.8
Exons 74.8 72.5 69.0 67.3 67.1 65.3
Introns 13.3 14.1 13.3 16.9 16.9 17.4
Intergenic regions 4.2 4.2 4.4 4.9 5.0 5.2

Table 1. High overlap of transcripts identified with the SMART-Seq v4 and SMART-Seq HT kits. Libraries were prepared from 10 pg of Mouse Brain Total RNA. The output cDNA was converted into RNA-seq libraries using the Illumina Nextera XT DNA Library Preparation Kit and sequenced on an Illumina NextSeq® instrument (2 x 75 bp). Sequences were analyzed as described in the methods after normalizing all the samples to 13 million paired-end reads.

Comparison graph of genes identified, SMART-Seq HT PLUS v. Nextera XT

Figure 2. SMART-Seq HT PLUS generates more libraries and identifies more genes than Nextera XT. Panel A. SMART-Seq HT was used to produce cDNA from 10 pg of Mouse Brain Total RNA in triplicate. Illumina-compatible libraries were generated using SMART-Seq Library Prep (SSlp) or the Nextera XT (Illumina) library prep kit, and sequenced on a NextSeq 500 system. The reads were normalized to 4M paired-end reads and analyzed as described in the technical note. Panel B. Library yields obtained with SSlp are higher than those generated with Nextera XT. Panel C. SSlp identified 10% more genes than Nextera XT.

More Information

Applications

  • cDNA synthesis and library preparation from single cells or total RNA for transcriptome sequencing
  • Automation of next-generation sequencing library preparation

Additional product information

Please see the product's Certificate of Analysis for information about storage conditions, product components, and technical specifications. Please see the Product Components List to determine kit components. Certificates of Analysis and Product Components Lists are located under the Documents tab.